Column written by Manu for La Nacion March 12

This is a reasonably correct translation of a column written by Manu for La Nacion, the Buenos Aires newspaper.

Column  for La Nacion March 12, 2010  Watching the Worlds on TV Would Be Terrible
 by Manu Ginobili

Link to Spanish version: http://www.canchallena.com/1242482-mirar-el-mundial-por-tele-seria-terrible

Let's start with the World Cup, which I imagine is a topic of most interest, now that you are already living the World Cup soccer fever. Many were shocked because I said I felt like going to Turkey more lately I want to clarify that I never stopped feeling like going. What happened is that as the date approaches, I think that watching the World Cup on television would be terrible. It would be very difficult to live it from outside.

Furthermore, imagine that when Chapu (Nocioni), Luifer (Scola), Fabri (Oberto)and Carlos (Delfino) get together to eat when we face each other and we never spend those two hours talking about all subjects, not that we talk all the time about the World Cup - if not we  remember situations and anecdotes from the national team days. I'm eager to be with them all together again and enjoying full days of that sort. I also think I don’t have left too many opportunities and tournaments to share those moments and it's worse.

Now, to see if you can get into my shoes and understand my situation: I have the 2010 World Cup ahead in this year, and besides I would love to play in the 2012 Olympics in London, but for that I would also have to play in the qualifying tournament of 2011, possibly held in Argentina ( with all that that implies), which is also a very difficult tournament, because there are only two qualifying places. I would play in everything, but I do not think my body will allow it.  It would be three NBA seasons and three important tournaments in between with the national team. I could miss the World Cup but I want to go. There are many things to put in the balance. It is not easy.

To all this I must add the uncertainty about where I will play next season in the NBA, negotiations included, the birth of twins, and our current delicate reality with the Spurs because we are in 7th place in the West. And while 9th is not far, we feel the need to Improve and do well in the playoffs. We can even go up some more positions if we do well this year in the remaining 20 games of the regular season.  No question is simple! They are a lot of things. Some are resolved over time, others are related, and I cannot decide anything right now.

What I am sure of is that if I go to the World Cup I would not fly direct to Turkey, I will train with the team before.

With regard to my game, I'm not saying that I am the same as in 2000, heh, but I'm close. I feel fully fit, strong, fast, confident, decisive and shooting the ball with better percentages. This has much to do with high self-esteem. I am happier, too. If you ask me what happened for that to happen, I tell you I do not know. Sometimes there are streaks, or it has to do with feeling better physically.

Suddenly the mindset changes, you click and everything is improving. I think the team is also leaving behind some complicated situations; we're playing a little better. Still,  now we have many straight road games and need to maintain the level and keep winning and see if we go up some positions for the playoffs.

Of course all this comes in handy for me with the issue of contract renewal or not. I know there were some conversations with my agent and the Spurs, but not very involved. Everything was "we’ll get together soon." I just do not think I will be offered something now. I do not think it makes much sense at this point in the season, a month before the playoffs begin.

Although many said they saw me getting old, I take that as circumstantial and incoherent conclusions, but it does me good to be demonstrating that I can play at a high level and help the team in any way possible